Evaluation of small-scale constructed wetland for water quality and Hg transformation

J Hazard Mater. 2007 Nov 19;149(3):543-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.06.077. Epub 2007 Jun 29.

Abstract

Elevated concentrations of nutrients and mercury (Hg) make Steamboat Creek (SBC) the most polluted tributary of the Truckee River. Since wetlands are considered cost-effective, reliable, and potential sites for methylmercury (MeHg) production, a small-scale wetland system was constructed and monitored for several years in order to quantify both nutrient removal and transformation of mercury. Results indicated seasonal variations in nutrient removal with 40-75% of total nitrogen and 30-60% of total phosphorus being removed with highest removals during summer and lowest removals during winter. The wetland system behaved as a sink for MeHg during the winter months and as a source for MeHg during summer months.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Equipment Design
  • Mercury / isolation & purification*
  • Methylmercury Compounds / isolation & purification
  • Nitrogen / isolation & purification
  • Phosphorus / isolation & purification
  • Seasons
  • Water Movements
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water Purification / methods*
  • Wetlands*

Substances

  • Methylmercury Compounds
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Phosphorus
  • Mercury
  • Nitrogen